Saints 7-Round Mock Draft: NOLA addresses offensive needs early on
Tight End. Buckeyes . Jeremy Ruckert. 139. player. 812.
Round 4: Pick 139 – Jeremy Ruckert, TE (Ohio State)
Sticking with Ohio State, the Saints revert back to addressing the offensive side of the football, adding a tight end in the fourth round. Adam Trautman hasn’t done much since NOLA spent a third-round pick on him just two years ago so no one would blame the Saints if they opted to move on from him or at least add more competition.
Ruckert’s numbers aren’t eye-popping by any means, as he has 23 catches for 284 yards and three touchdowns through 10 games. The most notable aspect of Ruckert’s game is that the guy catches everything sent his way. Drops have been a massive problem for Saints wide receivers this year, so if Ruckert can hold onto the football, he’ll easily be the top target for whoever’s quarterbacking the offense.
Fans probably won’t want to hear this but Ruckert’s biggest strength is as a blocker. Trautman has been a similar player and unfortunately, blocking has been the only positive aspect of his game since joining New Orleans last year.
Ruckert would definitely be utilized as a blocker but hopefully, he could get more involved in the offense and make the most of the targets thrown in his direction.